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UPROXX Sessions is back with a new performance from Bronx rapper, DreamDoll. At just 30 years old, the emcee responsible for viral hits like “Ah Ah Ah,” has collaborated with industry titans like French Montana and Rick Ross, and was a cast member on hit reality TV shows Love & Hip Hop: New York and Bad Girls Club. She recently got candid about being just “one song away” from her career breakthrough in an interview with Power 106 Los Angeles, and we’re hoping her Sessions performance aids in that quantum leap.

Today she graces the bathroom set with “Misunderstood” from her new mixtape Life In Plastic 3. The track and the Doll’s performance are emotionally-charged efforts. Her Sessions set positions her as an introvert with introspective lyricism, unafraid to be vulnerable in the nearly 3-minute track. Taking a page from the past, DreamDoll closes her performance pondering whether she is a “misfit or just misunderstood,” supported by an interpolation of Nina Simone’s classic “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.”

Watch DreamDoll perform “Misunderstood” for UPROXX Sessions above.

UPROXX Sessions is Uproxx’s performance show featuring the hottest up-and-coming acts you should keep an eye on. Featuring creative direction from LA promotion collective, Ham On Everything, and taking place on our “bathroom” set designed and painted by Julian Gross, UPROXX Sessions is a showcase of some of our favorite performers, who just might soon be yours, too.

Country pop star Shania Twain opened up in a new interview for People about her experience posing topless for the cover art of her single, “Waking Up Dreaming.” In the photo, she wears a traditional cowboy hat and some colorful boots, but was tame enough of a photo to exist on Instagram.

“I think the best fashion is confidence, and whatever you wear — if you’re wearing it with that, it’s fashionable,” Twain said. “I am a woman in my late 50s, and I don’t need to hide behind the clothes. I can’t even tell you how good it felt to do nude shooting. I was just so unashamed of my new body, you know, as a woman that is well into my menopause. I’m not even emotional about it; I just feel OK about it. It’s really liberating.”

“I hit this wall and was like, ‘Whoa, my confidence is regressing. My courage is dulling. Why am I allowing this?’” she added. “Frig that. I am not regressing… I’m not going to be shy about it. I want to be courageous about it, and I want to share that courage in the artwork that I am directing.”

Twain’s next album, Queen Of Me (which will feature “Waking Up Dreaming”), drops on February 3.

Dabo Swinney is a different breed of cat. Clemson’s two-time national championship winning head football coach isn’t unique in how he’s a man of unshakeable faith, but there is next to no one in college sports who is able to bring everything back to his faith in literally every situation quite as well as William Christopher Swinney.

Well, folks, today is the start of the Early Signing Period, which allows high school recruits to sign their Letters of Intent before February’s National Signing Day. One topic that has popped up a lot in recent days (and weeks, and months, and years) is the impact NIL rules have on recruiting, and if you have not seen this yet, I have a hunch you will not be surprised in the direction Swinney takes.

“For me, we built this program on NIL,” Swinney said, a smirk creeping up on his face as he is absolutely about to go for this. “We really did. And it’s probably different than what you’re thinking, though: We built this program in God’s Name, Image, and Likeness. And that’s how I look at it.”

This was so predictable that a few Twitter users made jokes that were awfully similar to this months ago.

Clemson signed the No. 12 class in the country this year, per their 247Sports Composite ranking.

Parenting is a hard gig regardless of whether you planned to have children or they were a happy surprise. As many parenting books as there are out there, none of them have the perfect equation to get it right and most parents do the best with what they learned, or unlearned, from their own parents.

Samantha, a parenting content creator on TikTok under the name Raising Self, has been working hard to overcome generational trauma and parent her children differently. Recently she was doing a live video to interact with her followers when one of her children made a stunning revelation: he was scared of her.

You could tell by her expression that his confession was a surprise, and though her son barely took his eyes off the video game he was playing, the two had a very meaningful dialogue. Instead of being upset or even happy that her child was fearful, she responded with curiosity.

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Some people believe that children should be fearful of their parents in order to respect them, but the exchange Samantha had with her son turned that thought process on its head. He started off the conversation by saying, “I know this might be a little shocking but I do sometimes actually find you a little scary.” When Samantha probed him a little she found that what’s causing him to be fearful is when her “grandma instincts come out,” referring to a generational pattern that his mother has been trying hard not to repeat.

Samantha didn’t hesitate with her response: “Yeah, I did not know that. I’m sorry that you’re experiencing that.” She continued, “When it’s happening, please call it out. Cause that allows me to understand what behaviors I’m not doing a good job mitigating.” Even though she was shocked, the conversation didn’t end there. It’s a beautiful exchange that can guide other parents on how to navigate these types of conversations.

Watch the entire conversation below:

@raisingself

For us fear does not equate respect. It’s a dynamic we worked not to be in our parent child relationship but it creeped in nonetheless.

If Steve Irwin were here today to see the remarkable people that his two children grew up to be, he would be so proud. Both Bindi and Robert Irwin carry on their dad’s legacy of wildlife conservation, along with Steve’s wife, Terri. And Robert, in particular, has inherited his father’s vivacious, endearing personality that is nothing short of contagious.

Steve might not be around anymore, but that didn’t stop him from providing his son with a wonderful message on his birthday.

Robert, who was only 3 years old when his father tragically passed away in 2006, celebrated his 19th birthday on Dec 1. As he and mom Terri stood onstage at the Australia Zoo—where Robert follows in his father’s footsteps as a Wildlife Warrior—a video began to play showing folks from around the world wishing him a happy birthday. Clearly, the young bloke is just as well loved as his father was.

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Then, the footage cuts to Steve Irwin (around 4:48 on the video below).

Robert had only just been born and as Steve holds his newborn son in his hands, he acknowledges that in spite of all his important conservation work, his children are his real purpose, adding, “because after all, I could be dead tomorrow.”

Obviously, that last part hits a little different now.

Steve hoped to instill in his children the same drive to continue his mission, declaring that “then and only then will I know that I have achieved my ultimate goal, and my job will be done. And I guarantee you that it’ll be the proudest moment of my life.”

As the video shows Robert becoming a young adult—one who catches crocs and saves animals just like his old man—it becomes crystal clear that Steve’s heartfelt wish came true.

Touched by the tribute, Robert quips, “You’re gonna make me cry on my birthday!” then shares that continuing his father’s “profound legacy” is a personal privilege.

Robert wasn’t the only one moved by Steve’s message. The video quickly amassed 28 million views on YouTube. And so many comments poured in from people deeply affected by The Crocodile Hunter’s memory.

One person wrote, “As a kid I didn’t watch cartoons, I was obsessed with animal planet, but not just animal planet but Steve Irwin, he was my childhood hero, I had 4 birthday party’s that were crocodile Hunter themed, I’d always say growing up that No matter what I’d go to Australia one day and meet him, When my mom told me the news of his passing I was so upset I didn’t go to school for days, he made such a good impact on all of our childhoods I’m sure, I wish nothing but the best for him and his family, got me tearing up just thinking about it.”

Others noted how Steve undeniably lives on in his son.

“Robert is a perfect example of carrying a legacy. All because Steve has passed away doesn’t mean he’s gone and that’s thanks to his family. Robert’s carrying the torch now and doing a damn well job at it,” commented one person.

Steve Irwin was a hero to many—both animals and humans alike. When you choose to dedicate your life to making the world a better place, it makes a difference, no matter how long you have. This moment is a shining, heartwarming example of that. Steve might be gone, but he continues to inspire others through the work of his family. That’s something to be proud of, indeed.

Every year around New Year’s Day, the National Hockey League puts on the most highly attended hockey game of the year in what’s known as the NHL Winter Classic. You see, the Winter Classic doesn’t get played in an indoor arena like a typical hockey night, but rather in a baseball or football stadium which can hold far more fans. And of course, with all of the hoopla surrounding the converted venue and temporary ice rink, you get all the other fun stuff that comes with like big-name entertainment, elevated broadcast coverage, etc. So, for the 2023 edition of the NHL Winter Classic on January 2nd at Boston’s Fenway Park, The Black Keys are set to headline the musical slate during the game’s first intermission.

Along with the performance from The Black Keys, ’90s R&B staples Bell Biv Devoe will be performing the National Anthem backed by the Boston Pops Orchestra, led by conductor Keith Lockhart. As for the game itself, it’ll pit the hometown Boston Bruins — who currently have the best record in the NHL — against their heated rivals in the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The puck drops at 2 p.m. ET and you can watch it live, along with all other pre-game coverage, on TNT, Sportsnet, CBC, and TVA Sports.

Five of the 14 best shows on TV aired on HBO/HBO Max this year.. That number isn’t likely to go down in 2023. HBO Max premiered its “Coming Soon In 2023” sizzle reel on Thursday, including extended looks at The Last of Us, Succession, and The Idol. There’s not a ton of new footage, with the exception of True Detective season four.

You can watch the first footage from the new season above.

The mystery series, now dubbed True Detective: Night Country, returns without creator Nic Pizzolatto (the alleged inspiration for an iconic BoJack Horseman character) but with Jodie Foster. The cast also includes Kali Reis, John Hawkes, Christopher Eccleston, Fiona Shaw, Finn Bennett, Anna Lambe, Aka Niviâna, Isabella Star Lablanc, and Joel D. Montgrand. The season will be overseen by Issa López (the tragically underseen Tigers Are Not Afraid) and Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) Here’s the official plot synopsis:

When the long winter night falls in Ennis, Alaska, the eight men who operate the Tsalal Arctic Research Station vanish without a trace. To solve the case, detectives Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) must confront their pasts and the dark truths lying underneath the Arctic ice.

True Detective: Night Country does not currently have a premiere date.

On the heels of Young Dolph’s posthumously released album, Paper Route Frank, the late Memphis rapper’s team has announced a museum pop-up tour in his honor. Dolphland will bring a series of Young Dolph memorabilia to fans across the US.

According to a press release, “will display original curated art and personal items that reflect Young Dolph’s unforgettable lyricism, personality, entrepreneurial spirit, philanthropy, and historic moments from his legendary career.”

The tour will kick off in New York City from January 13 to 15, at a yet-to-be-announced location. The Dolphland tour will also set up shop in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, and Dallas, and other cities.

“The goal of the pop-up museum is to showcase the character of a leader and businessman, and to highlight the journey of someone whose early beginnings may mirror that of many young kids and entrepreneurs starting so that they may draw inspiration to keep pushing on their own endeavors,” Paper Route Empire CEO Daddy-O said in a statement.

Those who purchased tickets to any of the Dolphland pop-ups will automatically be entered into a contest to win $100,000, with the winner to be revealed at the end of the tour.

Tour dates will be announced soon, and fans can sign up to receive emails about ticket sales here. Tickets for the New York store will be available for purchase on Monday, December 26.

If you tell a cranky child it’s time to go to bed, you’ll typically be met with exhausting resistance. Which is the best way to explain Donald Trump’s reaction to the ​​House Ways and Means Committee’s decision to release six years’ worth of the former president’s tax returns. The same returns Trump himself promised to release dozens of times — before he was elected, while he was in office, and in the years since he lost his job and Diet Coke button.

As The Daily Beast reports, committee chairman and Massachusetts congressman Richard Neal aimed to make it clear that the decision to release the federal documents was not made in a “malicious” manner. “It’s about one office: the presidency,” added California congresswoman Judy Chu. “It’s about making sure there are checks and balances for the presidency.”

Trump took the news about as well as you might expect.

Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the former president, issued an official statement to The Daily Beast decrying the orderly action as an “unprecedented leak by lameduck Democrats” and cautioned anyone reading the statement that “If this injustice can happen to President Trump, it can happen to all Americans without cause.” (Or you could just pay your taxes.)

Now that his tax returns are out in the open, Trump—via Cheung—requested that the public be privy to the same financial information from “Nancy Pelosi and her weirdo husband Paul to see how much dirty money they have made from selling out America and jeopardizing our national security.”

Ladies and gentlemen, the 45th President of these United States.

(Via The Daily Beast)

Aside from his role in The Roots, Questlove is also one of the world’s most passionate and knowledgeable music historians. He knows pretty much everything there is to know about the industry and he shared some of that knowledge in his latest book, 2021’s Music Is History. Now, with the holiday season in full swing, Questlove has just enhanced your upcoming gatherings by sharing his Christmas music playlist.

He ran through his favorite holiday tunes on NPR’s Fresh Air, and included in the mix is Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime.” Quest said of the song, “You know, Paul doesn’t like [that song] too much. Every time I talk to him and tell him, ‘Not only is it my favorite Christmas song, but it might be my favorite Paul McCartney Post-Beatles song.’ And he’s just, like, cringing his face, like, ‘No, no, but that was a rush job.’”

His mix also includes cuts by Run-DMC, DRAM, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, and others.

Quest also came through with a particularly fascinating bit of Stevie Wonder history, saying:

“Stevie Wonder is world-famous for his unique jingles for radio stations — if you search the Internet high and low, you can find some that he’s done over the years and over the decades. There’s actually a Philadelphia version of this particular jingle that I grew up with, and that’s the thing that’s always close to my heart. So there was a point in time in which Stevie Wonder might take time out to craft maybe somewhere between 30 to 50 individualized, customized radio station jingles for the territories that were playing his music the most. And so that’s why I chose this one. This is sort of a companion piece to the Marvin Gaye ‘Christmas In The City’ bit. This is Stevie Wonder playing synthesizer.”

Listen to Questlove discussing his picks here.